Our network

POLICE: Kidnapping victim found bound with duct tape, four arrested

HICKORY, NC (WBTV)- Four people from Illinois were been arrested by police in Hickory on Tuesday morning in connection with the kidnapping of a local man.

The 23-year-old victim was reported missing by an acquaintance after she received a phone call demanding a ransom for the his safe return.

With the assistance of the Catawba County Sheriff's Office, Hickory Police found the 23-year-old man bound with duct tape in a home on 21st Street Drive SE. That's just outside the Hickory city limits.

Investigators said the four suspects were also at the home. They were arrested.

The victim was treated for minor injuries. He told police he was kidnapped from the parking lot of the Lowe's Hardware on US 70 SE in Hickory.

21-year-old Jorge Alonzo Rentas, of Chicago, and 23-year-old Alejandro Zambrano, of Orlando Park, IL, are both charged with Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon, Kidnapping, and Felony Conspiracy. 

Community Sponsors

Hand selected to meet the highest standards!
The Best Care for Your Pet!

NCHP ends "Operation Drive to Live" on a high note

NCHP ends "Operation Drive to Live" on a high note

RALEIGH, NC (WBTV)- The State Highway Patrol concluded "Operation Drive to Live" after a week-long education and enforcement campaign.

The campaign, which began on Monday, April 15 and ended on Friday, April 19, was focused on promoting safe driving awareness to teenage drivers.

During the operation, Troopers enforced all traffic laws around the state's high schools and conducted traffic safety education programs. Troopers were actively looking for violations such as speeding, following too closely, careless and reckless driving, and any violation of the motor vehicle laws that can result in serious injury or death.

In addition, Troopers presented over 100 traffic safety education programs to students across the state.

Officials say that mile for mile, teenagers are involved in three times as many fatal crashes as all other drivers. In 2011, 3,331 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver, compared to 3,267 in 2010.

New study links poor drinking habits to poor eating habits

New study links poor drinking habits to poor eating habits

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- Every calorie counts towards your daily intake, so don't forget about the liquid ones!

And on top of that a new study suggests when we drink, we just don't eat right.

Rob Debreczeni was the poster child for the freshman 15 when he was in school.

"I started probably at 185, 180, somewhere in that range," said Rob.

But cafeteria food was not the culprit for the weight gain.

"Sitting down and having five or six beers I probably gained an easy 15 pounds," said Rob

He admitted to being a binge drinker in college.

"Well, when I was in a fraternity we had quite a few parties," said Rob.

"Binge drinking is identified more when you have one setting of drinking at least five drinks or more and that can be sporadic, it can be a few times a year, or hopefully, it's not weekly or a regular basis," said Registered Dietitian Michelle Ray with Novant Health.

Confirmed case of rabies reported in Catawba County

NEWTON, NC (WBTV)- Catawba County's first confirmed case of rabies in 2013 has been recorded after a raccoon killed by two dogs in the Conover area tested positive for the disease, according to a release from Catawba County.
 
On April 17, 2013, Catawba County Animal Services was notified that the dogs killed the raccoon. The North Carolina Public Health Laboratory notified Catawba County on April 22, 2013, that the raccoon tested positive for rabies.
 
Neither of the dogs was current on the rabies vaccination and the owner of the dogs has decided to surrender them to Animal Services for euthanasia. 
 
Animal Services reminds pet owners that rabies is still present in the local wild animal population and is a threat to pets and humans, year-round.  The best way to protect your pets from rabies is to have them properly vaccinated for rabies. 
 

Community Sponsors

Serving All Your Gardening & Landscaping Needs!

Gardening technique reduces stormwater pollution

Gardening technique reduces stormwater pollution

The Catawba County Library is offering a free class on rain gardens, this week.

Participants can learn how to set up a rain garden on their own property, under the instruction of Catawba County Agricultural Extension agent Kelly Groves.

Rain gardens improve the quality of stormwater and nearby bodies of water, by diverting rainwater from contaminated areas such as roofs, driveways and walkways. They are also helpful in puddle prevention.

Interested gardeners can join the educational demonstration at the Conover Branch of the Catawba County Library, located at 403 Conover Station SE in Conover, Tuesday April 23, at 7 p.m.

The cost is free and the class is open to ages 21 and over.

For more information on the program, call 828-466-5108.

Lyrid meteor shower responsible for few shooting stars

Lyrid meteor shower responsible for few shooting stars

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- If you happened to be out very early this morning, were far away from city lights, and were able to pick out the brightest streaks in the sky, then you may have seen the peak of the Lyrid meteor shower.

This shower occurs every year in mid to late April when the Earth passes through a trail of debris from the Comet Thatcher.

This year's biggest obstacle to viewing today was the moon, nearly full this morning, which reflected enough sunlight to block out all but the brightest meteors.

Some meteors will be visible until April 25th. Rarely, outbursts of up to 100 meteors per hour can be seen, although more commonly this meteor shower will produce only 15-20 meteors per hour.

If you do happen to snap a shot, we'd love to see your pictures!  Submit them here.

The next meteor shower, the Eta Aquarids, will occur on the nights of May 4-5.

Charleston by train? NCTM offers new excursion

Charleston by train?  NCTM offers new excursion

SPENCER - The N.C. Transportation Museum offers a chance for passengers to take a train trip to one of the south’s loveliest and most historic cities.  This three day, two night excursion to Charleston, S.C., the “Lowcountry Limited” happens May 17-19.   

The Lowcountry Limited is one of two Spring excursions hosted by N.C. Transportation Museum Foundation and the Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society.  The “Capital City Special,” a trip to Washington, D.C. in April is already sold out.  The “Lowcountry Limited” has tickets on sale and is a great opportunity for a unique journey as the weather warms.

These spring excursions are a great complement to the extremely successful fall excursions offered by the museum each year. They differ, however, in that they are extended weekend overnight trips, truly allowing the visitor to delve into all each destination has to offer.